Aimlessly pounding the pavement...

[aimless]

Okay. Third challenge. Last one I made too complicated. Still achieved some great things, but didn't knock it out of the park like i wanted to. It's time to prioritize, and keep it simple. 

 

1) Run, Amy, RUN! 

 

Keep rocking the 10K trainer app. Goal 3x per week or 18 total. Going to allow 3 non-program following "easy" runs if I just can't find the time for the scheduled run that day. (It was a lot easier finding 30 minutes in my day than 1 hour+!!!) +3STA, +2DEX

Complete first organized run. Scheduled for April 28th- 5 mile benefit run for a 12-year-old kid up the street who has also recently been my pheresis patient. +2CHA

 

2) Strength training

 

For real this time. Twice a week. Either on run days, or on non-run days. Bodyweight workouts, circuit training with my husband, or yoga/group classes all count. +3STR +1CON

 

3) Be intentional

 

Not sure how this is going to look in a measurable achievable goal... will edit this post later when I figure it out. It's just that lately, life has gotten way out of control. Kids have baseball starting up, track, school functions, etc etc etc. I have a job, a house to run, time commitments to singing on our church's Praise Team, nutritional talks, poster presentations coming up at medical conventions (2 in the next month) and so on and so on. I find that the busier I get, the more my focus gets fractionated, and the less effective I am at ALL of it. I want to be a patient pediatric nurse, a fulfilled and happy wife and a relaxed, healthy example for my kids. More on a plan for this later.

 

**Edit: Okay... I've added a row for this to my Accountability Spreadsheet to track things I can do in pursuit of this goal. I've added a legend for things like date with hubby, date with kid, me time, journaling, family meals, quiet time/devos... etc. I want a minimum of 5 of these per week. I'm hoping that just by tracking these, it will increase my awareness of them. That alone should add focus to my life! +3WIS +1CHA

 

Will edit later with points and a more concrete plan. For now that's the gist of it!

***Edited 4/21 to assign attribute points, and to make the title not match Kiwi's

[shortstuff]

Good luck, you got this

[eliz]

Nice goals! I love your accountability spreadsheet and have quietly copied it to keep track of my own progress. Good luck!

[Gyro]

"fractionated" is my word of the day!!! such a modern dilemma, ain't it? good luck on your goals and focus!!!

[Sifter]

Good luck !  I feel you on #3...so many commitments, being pulled in all directions as a mom, or just a person in general, but wanting to give the best to everything.  You can do it!  Go gett'em!

[aimless]

Good luck, you got this

Thanks, Shortstuff! Trying to simplify... I get excited and want to add more and more....

 

Nice goals! I love your accountability spreadsheet and have quietly copied it to keep track of my own progress. Good luck!

Glad to share it! I unashamedly stole the rainbow spreadsheet of happiness myself and altered it to fit my needs... Hmm... need to get a new one going for this upcoming challenge...

 

"fractionated" is my word of the day!!! such a modern dilemma, ain't it? good luck on your goals and focus!!!

Good luck !  I feel you on #3...so many commitments, being pulled in all directions as a mom, or just a person in general, but wanting to give the best to everything.  You can do it!  Go gett'em!

 

It's something I feel like I constantly struggle with. Making this into a S.M.A.R.T. goal is going to be challenging in and of itself... Not sure whether to count so many instances of intention per week (one-on-one time with a child being really present in the moment, quiet time or devo time myself, etc etc) or maybe make it a decrease-the-distractions kind of goal (electronics off by a certain time each night, so many family sit down dinners each week, so many date nights with hubby....) Hmmm. Still pondering. Suggestions welcomed!

[Shukar]

You've got a plan, now just to execute it. You got this.

[Sifter]

It's something I feel like I constantly struggle with. Making this into a S.M.A.R.T. goal is going to be challenging in and of itself... Not sure whether to count so many instances of intention per week (one-on-one time with a child being really present in the moment, quiet time or devo time myself, etc etc) or maybe make it a decrease-the-distractions kind of goal (electronics off by a certain time each night, so many family sit down dinners each week, so many date nights with hubby....) Hmmm. Still pondering. Suggestions welcomed!

 

hmmmmm, how many kids do you have?  6-weeks in the challenge...keep it simple....maybe, depending on the # of family members commit to scheduling time.  For example, maybe week #1 date night with the hubby, week #2 date night w/kiddo #1, week #3 - family game night, etc...

[aimless]

hmmmmm, how many kids do you have?  6-weeks in the challenge...keep it simple....maybe, depending on the # of family members commit to scheduling time.  For example, maybe week #1 date night with the hubby, week #2 date night w/kiddo #1, week #3 - family game night, etc...

I have 3 of my own (sophomore, 6th grader, 5th grader) and a 4-year-old foster daughter who has been with us since she was 14 months old.

 

Maybe set a goal for a "date" with each of them over the period of the challenge, 2 dates with hubby, 2-3 family activities all together and some "me" time? That's at least something I can track. I just don't want to turn it into something added into our already crazy/chaotic lives... I want it to carry over the theme of SIMPLIFYING to the family time as a whole... ya know?

 

Sheesh. I may just be overthinking this altogether.

[aimless]

You've got a plan, now just to execute it. You got this.

Thanks, Shukar! Since you're a Disney fan, it makes me think of the Mulan song "Let's get down to business..."

[Sifter]

I have 3 of my own (sophomore, 6th grader, 5th grader) and a 4-year-old foster daughter who has been with us since she was 14 months old.

 

Maybe set a goal for a "date" with each of them over the period of the challenge, 2 dates with hubby, 2-3 family activities all together and some "me" time? That's at least something I can track. I just don't want to turn it into something added into our already crazy/chaotic lives... I want it to carry over the theme of SIMPLIFYING to the family time as a whole... ya know?

 

Sheesh. I may just be overthinking this altogether.

Wow!  You are a busy bee!  I think what you mentioned sounds awesome.  Like you said, you can track it.  You got this!  I'll be your cheerleader.  Check on ya tomorrow.  Bath time for my kiddos!

[german]

Awesome goals!, I think the whole "dating" idea is great, I might actually take some of that for my own life goal in my chellenge!

[AverageFish]

Great goals.  Love the idea of #3, it's something I've been thinking a lot about as well (as has apparently almost everyone else on the forum, based on the replies...).  Looking forward to seeing how you make it work!

[jfrankovich]

Kudos on aspiring to be (and being) a great mom.  And a fit one, too!  You rock!

[aimless]

Awesome goals!, I think the whole "dating" idea is great, I might actually take some of that for my own life goal in my chellenge!

First "kid date" time last night... she LOVED it!

 

Great goals.  Love the idea of #3, it's something I've been thinking a lot about as well (as has apparently almost everyone else on the forum, based on the replies...).  Looking forward to seeing how you make it work!

Thanks! I feel like all aspects of my life could stand to be more intentional... time management, focus, quality time with family, financial, etc etc etc. Really, I think why NF has been working with me so well is because it's letting me prioritize my life and make fitness a part of that... it's all in all making me give my life some intention with the goals I set!  

 

Kudos on aspiring to be (and being) a great mom.  And a fit one, too!  You rock!

Thanks! The encouragement from you guys and the accountability to you all keeps me moving forward!

[Wicked Pixie]

I feel your pain about life being just out of control. 

I have 4 littles and it's crazy!

Sometimes just being able to take a deep breath and say it's ok if I don't do EVERYTHING, and it's ok to say no to extra commitments sometimes.

 

I tend to overwhelm myself too- so I can appreciate simplifying things.

 

You're going to do a great job!

[Sifter]

Way to go!  So glad you got a "date night" in with one of your kiddos.  Hoping to get a girls morning in with my 5-yr old daughter next week. My husband left in January for military training and he does not return until mid-May.  My 3-yr old son & I get 2 mornings a week of quality time while she is at pre-school, but it has been really hard for me to get one-on-one time in with her.  You have encouraged me...you've got 4 kids & made it happen.  Great job!

[aimless]

I feel your pain about life being just out of control. 

I have 4 littles and it's crazy!

Sometimes just being able to take a deep breath and say it's ok if I don't do EVERYTHING, and it's ok to say no to extra commitments sometimes.

 

I tend to overwhelm myself too- so I can appreciate simplifying things.

 

You're going to do a great job!

Thanks, Wicked! I'm totally awed by the fact that you managed a freakin' MARATHON even with 4 kiddos. I hear ya about the deciding it's ok to say 'no'... it's something I really need to learn how to do.

 

Way to go!  So glad you got a "date night" in with one of your kiddos.  Hoping to get a girls morning in with my 5-yr old daughter next week. My husband left in January for military training and he does not return until mid-May.  My 3-yr old son & I get 2 mornings a week of quality time while she is at pre-school, but it has been really hard for me to get one-on-one time in with her.  You have encouraged me...you've got 4 kids & made it happen.  Great job!

Thanks!!! And I have to say... so thankful to your husband for his service. And for you... taking over and playing the single parent while he's away. I feel like you should be wearing a cape and a crown! (at the same time)

[aimless]

I feel like this challenge has had a pretty lame start. I've been having a crazy week at work... had to go out of town overnight for a conference, on top of my normal staffing shifts at the hospital.

 

I did manage a bodyweight workout in my hotel room, but it wasn't anything huge.

I also got some "me" time in... which is few and far between around here!

 

Got my first run in tonight after work. *whew* My legs feel better now.

 

Put 3 of my 4 on a bus this afternoon for a jr high youth group retreat... I'm missing them all already! The oldest is going as a counselor, and my other 2 are SO excited about it. I'm hoping they have a fabulous time, make wonderful friendships, and learn more about nature and spirituality! ...I can't help but worry about them some!

 

Ah well, tomorrow's another day... and this weekend I hope to pack in a lot of fitness related activities and quality time with the youngest rug rat who was left behind! Things are looking up!

[Sifter]

Thanks!!! And I have to say... so thankful to your husband for his service. And for you... taking over and playing the single parent while he's away. I feel like you should be wearing a cape and a crown! (at the same time)

Just saw this now...thank you for the kind words

[Sifter]

Just reading about your week makes me tired!  You are SuperMama!  Have fun with your  youngest rug rat this weekend!

[Anwyl]

Wow great goals for you!!

I feel you on the commitment issue as well(especially when it comes to church) being my youths group pianist, on their skit team, playing on the orchestra, being a ministers kid, and leading praise teams every now and again I feel like I live at the church, and have the hardest time saying no to people haha.

Great job finding time with your kiddos! I know I'll always remember the time my mom took me and just had me and her time.

Good luck with all your goals through this challenge!!

[Sora]

I like your goals! I know German has a goal about spending more time with his kids (going on "kid dates") so you might be able to get some ideas from each other!

[18ck]

... had to go out of town overnight for a conference, on top of my normal staffing shifts at the hospital.

 

I did manage a bodyweight workout in my hotel room, but it wasn't anything huge.

That can be hard, for sure - keeping the momentum going while you're out of town for work. Have you seen this? It might come in handy for the next one. You're doing fine though - don't worry 'bout it. Hope you're having a good weekend working out and doing mummy stuff with the nipper.

[aimless]

Just reading about your week makes me tired!  You are SuperMama!  Have fun with your  youngest rug rat this weekend!

Thanks, Sifter! It was a little bit crazier than usual... that's for sure! Took the youngest to the track for a bit this morning and we "played." Ended the day with a fire outside in the firepit, making hot dogs and S'mores. She sure was ready for bed tonight!

 

Wow great goals for you!!

I feel you on the commitment issue as well(especially when it comes to church) being my youths group pianist, on their skit team, playing on the orchestra, being a ministers kid, and leading praise teams every now and again I feel like I live at the church, and have the hardest time saying no to people haha.

Great job finding time with your kiddos! I know I'll always remember the time my mom took me and just had me and her time.

Good luck with all your goals through this challenge!!

Yeah... I find it really hard to turn people down, and think "maybe I can just do that ONE more thing...." It's all stuff that by itself I enjoy very much, but I really do need to get better at self-assessment, and realize when my plate's getting too full.

 

I like your goals! I know German has a goal about spending more time with his kids (going on "kid dates") so you might be able to get some ideas from each other!

Yes, I'm stalking *err* I mean following along with German very closely!

 

That can be hard, for sure - keeping the momentum going while you're out of town for work. Have you seen this? It might come in handy for the next one. You're doing fine though - don't worry 'bout it. Hope you're having a good weekend working out and doing mummy stuff with the nipper.

Thanks!! I don't get away often, but random things do come up, and I wasn't really prepared with a plan!